Historic Saudi Arabian sabre sells for $1m

PARIS- A rare sabre considered a “historic testimony” to the creation of modern-day Saudi Arabia sold for more than $1.2 million at an auction in France on Sunday.

The 24-carat-gold and steel sword, with an ivory handle and long curved blade, was bought for 955,400 euros over the phone “by a mysterious buyer who entered bidding mid-sale,” said auctioneer Jean-Pierre Osenat.

The sword was a gift from Saudi King Abdul-Aziz bin Saud to Prince Ahmad Shah Khan in Afghanistan to mark the founding of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on May 5, 1932. The sabre, which has a blade nearly 79 centimetres (30 inches) long, was later sold to a private buyer.